West Ham United Ladies General Manager Karen Ray reflects on a successful season and looks ahead to a bright future...
Everyone at West Ham United has shown how invested they are in the Ladies, they have been instrumental in our transition to becoming a self-sustaining department.
In 12 months we have built an infrastructure that supersedes most; we want to become part of the FA’s strategy as they revolutionise Women’s football in England and lead the way as pioneers.
Being a fully-fledged part of the football club has afforded us the opportunity to expand and align ourselves with the elite pathways from the men’s side as we strive to be ‘The Academy of Football’ for Ladies. We can now offer a player pathway for girls aged eight through to 38, with employability opportunities for those who have ambitions of working within our realm.
Twelve months ago, West Ham United fans would have been forgiven for not knowing that the Club had a Ladies team. We had only just been brought in house, having been an independent set up, with no real future.
Now as the 2017/18 season comes to an end, optimism and excitement around the progression of West Ham United Ladies is thriving. The implementation of a solid infrastructure has afforded us the opportunity to apply for a license in the reformed Women’s Super League, setting our sights on an ambitious journey to the top of the women’s game.
In 2018 we have seen the capabilities of a club on the rise, not only have we succeeded in building a solid infrastructure we have seen our results flourish on the pitch. The biggest positive is the recognition the players have rightly earned. Ultimately, they are the ones who show up to every session with great intensity and work hard. Now, they get to see all of that effort come to fruition.
Success is no easy feat in the FA Women’s Premier League but we have shown it is possible. A moment of quiet contentment over the past 12 months creeps in as we stop and look at how far we have come during our small season break.
Jack Sullivan’s appointment as the Ladies Managing Director has been the most prevalant change, his hard work and innovative ideas have allowed us to build a professional environment, on which success is being achieved.
What a great year it has proven to be. I couldn’t be prouder of the achievements so far; the ladies have really turned their season around and we don’t have any plans to take our foot of the pedal any time soon. This group of players and staff are all willing to fight for each other, we are determined and resilient in all areas of the pitch, as the coach I can’t ask for anything more. We hope you will join us in our season finale as we take on London rivals QPR at Rush Green on Sunday 20 May.
Winning is developed in the most difficult moments, there is certainly no denying we had a difficult 2017 but everyone came together and decided we had to be accountable and prove we were winners. We are almost there. Of course, I want the player to cherish the memories of our current victories, but we won’t settle there. We are more games to win and most history to make. This takes character, something we have in abundance with this group.
There is something very unique about our players, they challenge me every day to keep raising my standards and expectations. The professionalism that every member of the first team is adhering too is inspiring, they all hold each other accountable which makes my job easier. Playing at such high intensity is no easy feat, but no one is willing to let 90 minutes of the gruelling physical demands beat them. Before we leave the changing room I always say, “empty the tank”, I am yet to discover someone who hasn’t.
Lastly, a huge thank you to my staff; Myles, Neo and Dan. I wouldn’t want to be on this journey with anyone else and I look forward to another chapter in the Ladies' book.
